What are reparations?

In the context of United States history, the word “reparations” is often shorthand for saying “reparations for slavery.” We recognize the atrocities of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the incarceration of black Americans, and we also recognize the atrocities committed by the United States of America against other BIPOC communities. We see how the systematic withholding of wealth has affected these communities over generations. Since the U.S. government is not currently enacting formal reparations to any of these populations, EAR’s goal is to leverage our collective power and resources to redistribute wealth to to BIPOC writers in our local writers’ community.

Can I join EAR if I'm not meeting all the commitments or haven't in the past?

​Yes! Those of us who are members of EAR do not see ourselves as more enlightened, more "woke" or more knowledgeable about racial justice than anyone else. Our only distinction is having chosen to prioritize this work with one another. We came together through word of mouth and previously established connections—not because we passed a litmus test. We believe that the work of dismantling white supremacy, both in ourselves and in our world, is messy and lifelong. We can, do, and will make mistakes and believe the only way to do this work is imperfectly. We ask new EAR members is to join us in a commitment to ongoing learning and striving to do better, and to make a monthly contribution toward a monetary pool. We are committed to calling one another into the work with accountability, compassion and love. 

Why is EAR forming an organization? Can't you all just work on this problem and support BIPOC writers/organizations on your own?

Collective, coordinated action is powerful. EAR members support each other’s commitments, we hold each other accountable and we educate one another and share information. We pool our resources (financial, professional, personal) for greater impact. As individuals with a shared commitment to working for racial equity within a specific community, we are convinced we can do it better together. Having said that, we’d be happy to call EAR something a few steps short of an “organization.” We don’t plan to seek non-profit status, grants, or financial compensation for  any work we do. We have regular meetings, an intentional wealth redistribution program, a website, a (light) social media presence, a system for seeking input from a rotating panel of BIPOC accountability partners, and an intention to work iteratively. We believe this is just about all we need to work together well. 

An all white group. Isn't that exclusive, divisive, and/or racist?

It’s a new idea for a lot of us. Roots of Justice’s writing about building a white caucus offers great insights into why and how it can be  a powerful tool. We are committed to following the leadership of BIPOC folks in all our anti-racist work, and we hear a recurring call for white people to leverage our access with one another and within white-controlled systems; part of that is educating, supporting, and calling in other white people. Transparency and accountability to BIPOC partners are crucial to this type of group (see below).

Who are the accountability partners? What do they do?

EAR accountability partners are a rotating cohort of five BIPOC writers invited to offer guidance for our work. Engaging with accountability partners is one way (but by no means the only way) that we make sure EAR is accountable to BIPOC community members. Accountability partners engage with EAR for six months at a time. They may access all EAR documents; attend EAR meetings; and/or offer feedback, requests, or ideas in whatever format they prefer (in writing, at a group meeting, or to an individual point person within EAR). We gift each partner $200 per quarter. All of the suggested ways of engaging are optional, and the quarterly gift is not contingent on any specific form of engagement. The one task we ask of all EAR accountability partners is to direct money from EAR’s wealth redistribution fund. We envision the fund supporting Minnesota BIPOC writers and organizations. We defer to the accountability partners’ decisions about specific uses of the fund. The five current accountability partners are listed here. We’re grateful for their input. Any mistakes, missteps, goof-ups, or deficiencies you see in EAR aren’t our partners’ problem, they’re EAR’s. If you’re a BIPOC writer interested in being an accountability partner (or offering feedback or input in any form), please get in touch with us here or via any EAR member.

How did EAR come about?

In short, Sun Yung Shin. Shin is a beloved Twin Cities poet and activist and editor of the essential anthology tackling race in Minnesota, A Good Time for the Truth. Two of us had been in conversation with her, separately, about equity issues in the local literary scene: Elizabeth Tannen about making local readings more deliberately inclusive and John Coy about the children’s literature conference that The Loft cancelled due to lack of diversity. She connected us, pushed us to bring in other justice-minded writers for greater accountability and deeper action, and sparked our group with ideas for action at our initial meetings.